This two-bedroom apartment sits on the ground floor of a handsome Grade II-listed Georgian residence in the sought-after Cator Estate in Blackheath. Set behind a façade of yellow London stock brick and stucco detailing, the interior spaces are characterised by elegant 19th-century proportions and delicate period decoration. Outside, communal gardens are lush with mature plantings, species shrubs and trees that wrap around the building to provide a peaceful garden oasis. The apartment is within striking distance of Blackheath and Greenwich Park, as well as an array of independent cafés, restaurants and grocers and direct rail links to London Bridge, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Victoria.

Setting the Scene

Something of the jewel in the crown of the Blackheath Village area, the Cator Estate was originally Wricklemarsh House, a parkland and stately home. Wricklemarsh was built in 1739 on the ancient estate after the older 16th-century manor house had been torn down; it had fallen into a state of disrepair by 1783, when John Cator purchased it. Cator decided to dismantle and sell the house, portioning off the parkland for the construction of handsome new housing, many of which are still intact today. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the majority of the well-designed late-Georgian houses, such as the one this apartment is set within, were constructed along Blackheath Park. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Tucked to the rear of the plan, the flat is located in the ground floor garden wing of the house. Its private entrance opens directly onto a large, gravelled drive with private parking, and the glazed front door opens to a bright porch - a handy place to kick off a pair of shoes and hang up a coat after a walk on Blackheath.

To the right of the porch is an elegantly proportioned reception room with refined Georgian detailing: a 19th-century parquet floor with xx runs underfoot and a canted bay at the front of the room is crowned with moulded cornicing. The current owners have arranged a dining table and chairs to sit in the bay, basking in the light that pours through the casement windows and the French doors that open to the front of the plan. At the other side of the room, a fireplace set on a black-tiled hearth is an impressive focal point, with a mantel set on fluted brackets, tapered pilaster jambs and stepped foot blocks.

To the rear of the reception room is a central hallway, where shelves make a lovely spot for a collection of recipe books or a vase of freshly cut flowers. A kitchen opens from the hallway, with timber cabinetry, a four-ring gas cooker and a sink that sits below a set of casement windows.

Two bedrooms and a bathroom are also arranged around the hallway. The primary bedroom is to the front of the plan. Here, light filters through a large window with a transom, falling on the warm tones of the parquet floor; shutters have been fitted for added privacy. The bedroom to the rear of the plan would also make for a charming nursery or an ideal home office.

The Great Outdoors

A hedge-lined gravel driveway leads to the front of the house, where beds planted with evergreen buxus, mahonia and privet sit wonderfully against the yellow stock brick façade. Residents are able to use the drive for private parking, with space for one car allocated to this flat and further controlled parking on the quiet street just a few metres away available for purchase.

To the rear of the building is an expansive communal garden. The garden is wonderfully secluded; surrounded by mature hedges and paper birch, it's a lovely place to enjoy a coffee in the sun or a glass of wine in the evening. Of immense proportions, the lawn offers considerable access to green space in such proximity to Central London. Several large private sheds are tucked behind hedges running along the side of the garden with one shed allocated for private use by flat residents.

Out and About

The flat is a 10-minute walk to Blackheath, one of the largest parcels of common land in London, its relatively flat ground lends it as a perfect spot for a jog or a game of rounders. Greenwich Park is a 20-minute walk to the north, where a stroll through the Queen’s Orchard, the Rose Garden or the Herb Garden is lovely on a sunny day, as is a trip to the Greenwich Observatory.

The delights of Blackheath Village are only a 15-minute walk away. A myriad of independent restaurants, cafés and bars line the high street, including Le Bar a Vin serving a selection of cheese and charcuterie boards alongside its excellent cellar offerings, and Hand Made Food for seasonal fare sourced from local businesses. Blackheath's farmers' market runs every Sunday, offering an array of vegetables, fruits and freshly baked pastries.

Blackheath Station is approximately a 15-minute walk away and is one stop from Lewisham for DLR connections to both the Docklands and the City. Trains from Blackheath to London Bridge take approximately 10 minutes, and around 20, 22 and 25 minutes to Cannon Street, Charing Cross and Victoria respectively.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Underlying Lease Length: approx. 103 years remaining
Service Charge: approx £2300 per annum
Council Tax: Band C